Orchids on the Durham coast

Durham's magnesian limestone grassland is famous for its orchids. Yesterday, when we were walking along the coast near Hawthorn Dene there was a sensational display, in the hay meadow at the mouth of the dene itself and even more so in the thin soils around the old quarry. 

There were many hundreds of spotted orchids and scores of pyramidal and fragrant orchids. There were also plenty of twayblades, but it's hard to estimate their numbers because their green colour makes them easy to overlook. 

I think this was the best orchid display that I can remember here.

Fragrant orchid

Pyramidal orchid

An albino common spotted orchid

Common spotted orchid

Twayblade orchid

This is the area around the quarry with the highest density of orchids, growing in a thin veneer of soil over limestone. Other species in flower here included centaury and yellow-wort, greater knapweed and carpets of bird's-foot trefoil.

Northumbrian coastal flora

The coastal flora was particularly beautiful during our stay in Northumberland in early July. These are some of the highlights.

Pyramidal orchids on the sand dunes at Embleton.

Agrimony on the coastal path south of Howick.

Bloody cranesbill (above and below) at Low Newton.

Common mallow on the coastal path between Low Newton and Football Hole.

Hawkweeds and quaking grass at Football Hole

Lady's bedstraw at Low Newton.

Meadow cranesbill growing close to the beach at Howick (typically crowded Northumbrian beach!) and ..

..... just above the high water mark at Low Newton

A magnificent display of ragged robin on the coastal path south of Howick.

Rest harrow at Low Newton.

Sea mayweed at Budle Bay (top) and on the black dolerite boulders at Dunstanburgh.

Sea pink at Cullernose Point (top) and at Dunstanburgh (above).

Silverweed (showing silvery underside leaves) on the shingle at Budle Bay

Wild carrot at Low Newton

White stonecrop and ....

.... yellow stonecrop, both at Budle Bay

Pink Pyramids

Port Logan, on the Rhins of Galloway peninsula, is sandy bay backed by a stony beach and sand dunes, that takes the full force of the wind and weather sweeping in from the North Channel and Atlantic beyond.

Not, maybe, the kind of place you'd choose to stop on a wet and windy day, but we noticed some interesting-looking flowers in the dunes as we drove by, so stopped to investigate - and we were glad that we did.

When we reached the beach this ringed plover flew off and settled a few yards away, obviously trying to distract our attention....

... and we soon discovered why ..... this wonderfully camouflaged clutch of eggs, laid in a depression in the sand.

But it was the pyramidal orchids - dozens of them - that had first attracted our attention....

Most were the typical deep pink-flowered form but ....

... this one stood out - a much paler pink-flowered plant.

On this coast the weather changes rapidly and within a few minutes the sun broke through, coaxing out the bumblebees to feed on the sea bindweed blooms.

Unlike the climbing bindweed species that plague gardens, this species stays close to the ground, sheltered from the drying wind and conserving water in its succulent, heart-shaped  leaves.